A Messianic Jewish leader's wife came up to me in tears. A major Christian
Zionist prayer event had just concluded in Jerusalem. Why was she crying?
Shouldn't we all be rejoicing that this event had taken place, an event where
Christians from around the world, including some who were internationally
known leaders, prayed together and took a stand for Israel? The reason for
the tears? Messianic Jews were not part of the program. Only Christians and
Jews who were not followers of Yeshua were included. The sense of rejection,
of being relegated to "the back of the bus," was very wounding to this dear
sister.

The Meaning of Classical Rooting

In the history of the Church and Synagogue, meaningful traditions and
reverent modes of worship have developed which powerfully draw us into the
most important truths of our faith. It is amazing how parallel the classical
Church and the Synagogue are in their basic worship expression. Scholars see
this pattern as the influence of the Synagogue on the early Church.

Why Messianic Jews are Offended

Many Messianic Jews are offended at the Christian Zionist leaders and
organizations. They show support for Israel and world Jewry while at the
same time distancing themselves to varying degrees from the Messianic Jews.
I have argued in the past that this distancing is not necessary and that the
Jewish community, which needs Christian support, will back down from
requiring this separation. However, this is not certain. Jewish religious
leaders who partner with Christian Zionists are sometimes under terrible
pressure from other Orthodox leaders in Israel. Some claim that these Jews
are compromising with idolaters. Others claim that Christian Zionists are
not seeking only to support Israel, but that their efforts are a ruse to
soften Jewish hearts for an eventual evangelistic thrust. (This of course is
not their intent.) Yet, at the same time, Messianic Jews, who are
brothers and sisters in Yeshua, find it quite strange that they are not the
first priority for support from their fellow believers among Christian
Zionists ...